it follows a nearly week-long silence. wednesday, the presdient and congressman boenher spoke by phone. on thursday, the president said he was optimistic a deal would get done as he sat down with a middle-class family in virginia to promote his tax plan new jersey governor chris christie is making a pitch to washington for more funds to cover the cost of hurricane sandy. christie is seeking $83 billion in extra disaster aid from the government. he's making the plea on behalf of his home state of new jersey, as well as for new york and connecticut. christie met with president obama at the white house first, then with house speaker john boehner at the capital. at a senate hearing thursday, senator charles schumer of new york presented his case for rebuilding the storm zone. "new york has no choice, we have to adapt. new york and new jersey are a waterfront region in the path of violent new weather realities." president obama meanwhile is seeking $50 billion from congress for emergency aid for 11 states with storm damage. the